Police called and sea searched as Christmas swimmers ignore weather warnings
Emergency services were directed to the Devon coast on Christmas Day after concerns grew about individuals in the water.
Police confirmed they were called to Budleigh Salterton at 10am. Devon and Cornwall Police said a number of people have since been brought ashore safely and are awaiting assessment by paramedics.
A spokesman added: “Coastguard and RNLI teams are continuing searches in the water.
“A significant number of emergency personnel are working on this incident and for public safety reasons we would ask that people do not enter the water along this shoreline while this incident is ongoing.”
Early Thursday, police told people not to go into the water and to stay away from the area.
They have urgently asked members of the public not to attend the Christmas Day swim in Exmouth while emergency services deal with the incident.
A number of Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall this year have been canceled due to a yellow weather warning due to wind.
The Met Office warned of “strong, gusty east to north-east winds” across south-west England and Wales from 4am to 11.59pm on Christmas Day.
Peak winds will reach 45-55 mph, but could reach 55-65 mph along some open costs and west of prominent ridges.
The forecaster said it could cause disruption to transportation and power supplies.
He added: “Large waves will pose additional danger on some coasts.”
Meanwhile, in Ireland, large crowds attended the annual Christmas Day swimming event at popular swimming spots including Dublin’s “Forty Foot Santa”.
Thousands flocked to the Forty Foot headland at Sandycove as people donned Santa hats and took part in the festive dip despite bitterly cold conditions.
Master swimmer Patrick Corkery has been running the Christmas Day swim race for more than 30 years.
Dressed as Santa Claus, he joked: “I had to swim one more time before returning to Lapland.
“Today is great, even if it’s a little rough. On a day like today, you have to pay attention to the waves.
“The water is about seven degrees. It’s freezing.”
